Councils accused of ripping off residents after fees for services soared by more than a third since 2010, report claims

The fees have rocketed at the same time as residents have been hit with soaring tax bills

By Matt Dathan, Political Correspondent

6th September 2017, 2:33 am

Updated: 6th September 2017, 2:37 am

COUNCILS were accused of ripping off residents after an investigation found some fees for services have soared by more than a third since 2010.

An analysis of more than 22 services - including fees for waste collection, cemetery, cremation and tolls - have increased at the same time as town halls have reduced the frequency and quality of the services.

Cemetery, cremation and mortuary fees shot up by a fifth over the same period - despite the number of deaths only increasing by 6.5 per cent.

Taxpayers’ Alliance chief John O’Connell slammed cash-chasing town halls for slapping “stealth taxes” on residents at the same time as hiking council tax bills.

He said: “These are considerable rate rises which will hit residents in England hard. In many instances people are being asked to pay more for services that have actually been reduced, such as fortnightly bin collections.

“Councils should ensure that they cut out all wasteful spending before asking taxpayers to pay big fees on top of their Council Tax bill.”